Modular Chassis

ABSTRACT

A modular chassis is provided for an off-road vehicle to improve assembly, servicing, and repairing of a drivetrain of the off-road vehicle. The modular chassis includes a chassis to support components of the off-road vehicle. A front frame module couples with a front of the chassis, and a rear frame module couples with a rear of the chassis. The front frame module supports lower suspension arms of the off-road vehicle by way of inboard bushing joints. The front frame module supports at least a steering gear and a front differential of the off-road vehicle. The rear frame module is a tube-frame structure that supports components of the off-road vehicle. A lower portion of the rear frame module extends rearward and acutely upward to a top frame member that couples with upper side portions of the chassis. Several cross-members impart structural integrity to the rear frame module.

PRIORITY

This continuation application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/625,765 filed on Jun. 16, 2017 and U.S.Provisional Application, entitled “Off-Road Front Suspension System,”filed on Apr. 3, 2017 and having application Ser. No. 62/480,960.

FIELD

The field of the present disclosure generally relates to vehiclesuspension systems. More particularly, the field of the inventionrelates to a modular chassis for an off-road vehicle configured toimprove assembly, servicing, and repairing of an off-road drivetrain ofthe vehicle.

BACKGROUND

A double wishbone suspension is a well-known independent suspensiondesign using upper and lower wishbone-shaped arms to operably couple afront wheel of a vehicle. Typically, the upper and lower wishbones orsuspension arms each has two mounting points to a chassis of the vehicleand one mounting joint at a spindle assembly or knuckle. A shockabsorber and a coil spring may be mounted onto the wishbone to controlvertical movement of the front wheel. The double wishbone suspensionfacilitates control of wheel motion throughout suspension travel,including controlling such parameters as camber angle, caster angle, toepattern, roll center height, scrub radius, scrub, and the like.

Double wishbone suspensions may be used in a wide variety of vehicles,including heavy-duty vehicles, as well as many off-road vehicles, asshown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows an off-road vehicle 100 that is of a Sideby Side variety. The Side by Side is a four-wheel drive off-road vehiclethat typically seats between two and six occupants, and is sometimesreferred to as a Utility Task Vehicle (UTV), a Recreational Off-HighwayVehicle (ROV), or a Multipurpose Off-Highway Utility Vehicle (MOHUV). Inaddition to the side-by-side seating arrangement, many UTVs have seatbelts and roll-over protection, and some may have a cargo box at therear of the vehicle. A majority of UTVs come factory equipped with hardtops, windshields, and cab enclosures.

The double-wishbone suspension often is referred to as “double A-arms”,although the anus may be A-shaped, L-shaped, J-shaped, or even a singlebar linkage. In some embodiments, the upper arm may be shorter than thelower arm so as to induce negative camber as the suspension jounces(rises). Preferably, during turning of the vehicle, body roll impartspositive camber gain to the lightly loaded inside wheel, while theheavily loaded outer wheel gains negative camber.

The spindle assembly, or knuckle, is coupled between the outboard endsof the upper and lower suspension arms. In some designs, the knucklecontains a kingpin that facilitates horizontal radial movement of thewheel, and rubber or trunnion bushings for vertical hinged movement ofthe wheel. In some relatively newer designs, a ball joint may bedisposed at each outboard end to allow for vertical and radial movementof the wheel. A bearing hub, or a spindle to which wheel bearings may bemounted, may be coupled with the center of the knuckle.

Constant velocity (CV) joints allow pivoting of the suspension arms andthe spindle assembly, while a drive shaft coupled to the CV jointdelivers power to the wheels. Although CV joints are typically used infront wheel drive vehicles, off-road vehicles such as four-wheeledbuggies comprise CV joints at all wheels. Constant velocity jointstypically are protected by a rubber boot and filled with molybdenumdisulfide grease.

Given that off-road vehicles routinely travel over very rough terrain,such as mountainous regions, there is a desire to improve the mechanicalstrength and performance of off-road drivetrain and suspension systems,while at the same reducing the mechanical complexity of such systems.

SUMMARY

A modular chassis is provided for an off-road vehicle and configured toimprove assembly, servicing, and repairing of a drivetrain of theoff-road vehicle. The modular chassis is comprised of a chassisconfigured to support components of the off-road vehicle, a front framemodule configured to be coupled with a front of the chassis, and a rearframe module configured to be coupled with a rear of the chassis. Thefront frame module is configured to support a first and a second lowersuspension arms of the off-road vehicle by way of inboard mountingjoints of a bushing. A front mount and a rear mount disposed at oppositeends of the front frame module are configured to be fastened onto thechassis. The front frame module is further configured to support variouscomponents of the off-road vehicle, including at least a steering gearand a front differential. One or more service ports disposed on thefront frame module facilitate servicing or repairing of the variouscomponents without requiring removal from the front frame module.

The rear frame module is comprised of a tube-frame structure andconfigured to support various components of the off-road vehicle. Alower portion of the rear frame module is comprised of parallellydisposed, or angled, bottom frame members that extend rearward withrespect to the chassis. Each bottom frame member extends a bent portionthat joins with an angled frame member that extends upwards along alower rear portion of the off-road vehicle. The angled frame memberseach extend to a bent portion that joins with a vertical frame memberthat extends acutely toward a top frame member. The top frame membercomprises a rear-most portion of the rear frame module and is configuredto be coupled with upper side portions of the chassis by way of a topmount disposed at each end of the top frame member. The rear framemodule is centrally disposed with respect to a midline of the chassisand configured to provide clearance for vertical motion of rear trailingarms disposed adjacently to each of the bottom frame members. Severalcross-members are disposed between the bottom frame members, the angledframe members, and the vertical frame members to impart structuralintegrity to the rear frame module.

In an exemplary embodiment, a modular chassis for an off-road vehiclecomprises a chassis configured to support components of the off-roadvehicle; a front frame module configured to be coupled with a front ofthe chassis; and a rear frame module configured to be couple with a rearof the chassis.

In another exemplary embodiment, the front frame module is configured tosupport a first lower suspension arm on a passenger side and a secondlower suspension arm on a driver side of the off-road vehicle by way ofinboard mounting joints of a bushing variety that allow the first lowersuspension arm and the second lower suspension arm to pivot verticallywith respect to the front frame module. In another exemplary embodiment,the front frame module is an elongate member comprised of inboardmounting brackets disposed on opposite sides in locations suitable toreceive the first lower suspension arm and the second lower suspensionarm.

In another exemplary embodiment, the front frame module is comprised ofa front mount and a rear mount disposed at opposite ends and configuredto enable fastening the front frame module to the chassis. In anotherexemplary embodiment, the front mount is comprised of a bracketconfigured to be coupled with a similar bracket disposed at a front-mostportion of the chassis. In another exemplary embodiment, the rear mountis configured to be coupled with a tube-shaped member comprising thechassis, a bracket suitable for receiving the rear mount being fastenedor welded onto the tube-shaped member of the chassis.

In another exemplary embodiment, the front frame module is configured tosupport various components of the off-road vehicle, the variouscomponents being comprised of at least a steering gear and a frontdifferential. In another exemplary embodiment, one or more service portsare disposed on the front frame module to facilitate servicing orrepairing of the various components without requiring removal from thefront frame module, at least one of the one or more service portsproviding access to an oil drain plug of a front differential. Inanother exemplary embodiment, at least one of the one or more serviceports are disposed on the front frame module to allow fluids to drainfrom an interior of the front frame module. In another exemplaryembodiment, the front frame module is comprised of one or more panelsconfigured to protect various components coupled with the front framemodule, the one or more panels being comprised of at least one debrisshield to protect a steering gear and a front differential from damagedue to flying road debris.

In another exemplary embodiment, the rear frame module is comprised of atube-frame structure and configured to support various components of theoff-road vehicle. In another exemplary embodiment, a frame componentmount may be fastened to the chassis and located within the rear framemodule so as to support various components of the off-road vehicle. Inanother exemplary embodiment, one or more holes are disposed in variouslocations of the frame component mount so as to receive the variouscomponents that are intended to be supported by the frame componentmount.

In another exemplary embodiment, a lower portion of the rear framemodule is comprised of parallelly disposed, or angled, bottom framemembers that extend rearward with respect to the chassis, each toward abent portion that joins each of the bottom frame members with an angledframe member that extends upwards along a lower rear portion of theoff-road vehicle to a bent portion that joins each of the angle framemembers with a vertical frame member that extends acutely toward a topframe member. In another exemplary embodiment, a bottom mount comprisesthe fear frame module and is configured to couple the bottom framemembers with the chassis. In another exemplary embodiment, the bottommount is comprised of brackets that are configured to receive suitablysized nuts and bolts that fasten the bottom frame members to thechassis, a cross-member being disposed between the bottom frame membersand receivable between the brackets so as to fixedly join the bottomframe members with the chassis. In another exemplary embodiment, thebottom frame members are centrally disposed adjacent to a midline of thechassis and configured to provide clearance for vertical motion of arear trailing arm disposed adjacently to each of the bottom framemembers. In another exemplary embodiment, several cross-members aredisposed between the bottom frame members, the angled frame members, andthe vertical frame members and configured to impart structural integrityto the rear frame module. In another exemplary embodiment, the top framemember comprises a rear-most portion of the rear frame module and isconfigured to be coupled with upper side portions of the chassis by wayof a top mount disposed at each end of the top frame member, the topmount being comprised of a suitable means for fixating the top framemember and the upper side portions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings refer to embodiments of the present disclosure in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an off-road vehicle thatis particularly suitable for implementation of an off-road frontsuspension system in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a front suspension system that isconfigured to couple a front wheel with a passenger side of an off-roadvehicle;

FIG. 3A illustrates an upper isometric view of an exemplary embodimentof a front frame module that is fixedly coupled with a modular chassisof an off-road vehicle;

FIG. 3B illustrates a bottom plan view of the front frame module of FIG.3A;

FIG. 3C illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of afront frame module coupled with a modular chassis of an off-road vehicleand supporting a steering gear and a front differential;

FIG. 4A illustrates a bottom plan view of an exemplary embodiment of afront frame module that may be fixedly coupled with a modular chassis ofan off-road vehicle;

FIG. 4B illustrates a top plan view of the front frame moduleillustrated in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C illustrates a side plan view of the front frame module of FIG.4A;

FIG. 5A illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of arear frame module that is fixedly coupled with a modular chassis of anoff-road vehicle;

FIG. 5B illustrates a rear plan view of the rear frame module coupledwith the modular chassis of the off-road vehicle as illustrated in FIG.5A;

FIG. 6A illustrates a side plan view of the rear frame module coupledwith the modular chassis of the off-road vehicle as illustrated in FIG.5A; and

FIG. 6B illustrates a top plan view of the rear frame module coupledwith the modular chassis of the off-road vehicle as illustrated in FIG.5A.

While the present disclosure is subject to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by wayof example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. Theinvention should be understood to not be limited to the particular formsdisclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover allmodifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spiritand scope of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. Itwill be apparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that theinvention disclosed herein may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, specific numeric references such as “firstjoint,” may be made. However, the specific numeric reference should notbe interpreted as a literal sequential order but rather interpreted thatthe “first joint” is different than a “second joint.” Thus, the specificdetails set forth are merely exemplary. The specific details may bevaried from and still be contemplated to be within the spirit and scopeof the present disclosure. The term “coupled” is defined as meaningconnected either directly to the component or indirectly to thecomponent through another component. Further, as used herein, the terms“about,” “approximately,” or “substantially” for any numerical values orranges indicate a suitable dimensional tolerance that allows the part orcollection of components to function for its intended purpose asdescribed herein.

In general, the present disclosure describes a modular chassis for anoff-road vehicle that is configured to improve assembly, servicing, andrepairing of a drivetrain of the off-road vehicle. The modular chassisis comprised of a chassis configured to support components of theoff-road vehicle. A front frame module is configured to be coupled witha front of the chassis, and a rear frame module is configured to becoupled with a rear of the chassis. The front frame module supportslower suspension arms of the off-road vehicle by way of inboard bushingjoints that allow the lower suspension arms to pivot vertically withrespect to the front frame module. The front frame module is configuredto support various components of the off-road vehicle, including atleast a steering gear and a front differential. One or more serviceports facilitate servicing or repairing of the various componentswithout requiring removal from the front frame module.

The rear frame module is comprised of a tube-frame structure that isconfigured to support various components of the off-road vehicle. Alower portion of the rear frame module is comprised ofdirectionally-parallel bottom frame members that each extends rearwardto a bent portion that joins with an angled frame member. The angledframe members each extend to a bent portion that joins with a verticalframe member that extends acutely toward a top frame member. The topframe member comprises a rear-most portion of the rear frame module thatis configured to be coupled with upper side portions of the chassis.Several cross-members are disposed between the bottom frame members, theangled frame members, and the vertical frame members to impartstructural integrity to the rear frame module. The rear frame module isconfigured to provide clearance for vertical motion of rear trailingarms disposed adjacently to each of the bottom frame members.

FIG. 1 shows an off-road vehicle 100 that is particularly suitable forimplementation of a modular chassis system in accordance with thepresent disclosure. As disclosed hereinabove, the off-road vehicle 100generally is of a Utility Task Vehicle (UTV) variety that seats twooccupants, includes a roll-over protection system 104, and may have acab enclosure 108. Rear wheels 112 of the off-road vehicle 100 may beoperably coupled with a chassis 116 by way of a trailing arm suspensionsystem. Front wheels 120 may be operably coupled with the chassis 116 byway of the front suspension system.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a front suspension system 124 that isconfigured to couple the front wheel 120 with a passenger side of theoff-road vehicle 100. The front suspension system 124 is comprised of anupper suspension arm 128 and a lower suspension arm 132 that couple thefront wheel 120 with the chassis 116. Each of the upper and lowersuspension arms 128, 132 comprises two inboard mounting joints 136 tothe chassis 116 and one outboard mounting joint to a spindle assembly140. As will be recognized, the upper and lower suspension arms 128, 132generally are of a double wishbone variety of suspension thatfacilitates controlling various parameters affecting the orientation ofthe wheel 120 with respect to the off-road vehicle 100, such as, by wayof non-limiting example, camber angle, caster angle, toe pattern, rollcenter height, scrub radius, and scrub.

It should be understood that although the front suspension system 124 isdisclosed specifically in connection with the passenger side of theoff-road vehicle 100, a driver side front suspension system is to becoupled with a driver side of the off-road vehicle. It should be furtherunderstood that the driver side front suspension system is substantiallyidentical to the front suspension system 124, with the exception thatthe driver side front suspension system is configured specifically tooperate with the driver side of the off-road vehicle 100. As will beappreciated, therefore, the driver side front suspension system and thefront suspension system 124 may be configured as reflections of oneanother across a longitudinal midline of the off-road vehicle 100.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, there may beinstances wherein disassembling one or more portions of the chassis 116may be advantageous, such as during servicing or repairing of componentscomprising the front suspension system 124. Further, assembling one ormore portions of the chassis 116 simples manufacturing of the off-roadvehicle 100, as well as facilitating repairing damaged portions of thechassis 116 without cutting and welding the chassis as is commonplacewith conventional off-road vehicles. To this end, the illustratedembodiment of the chassis 116 may be comprised of one or more portions,or chassis modules, that may be assembled and disassembled, as needed.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a front frame module144 that may be fixedly coupled with the chassis 116. The front framemodule 144 generally supports the lower suspension arms 132 on thepassenger and driver sides of the off-road vehicle 100 by way of theinboard mounting joints 136. The inboard mounting joints 136 preferablyare of a bushing variety that allow the lower suspension arms 132 topivot vertically with respect to the front frame module 144. As bestshown in FIGS. 4A-4C, the front frame module 144 is generally anelongate member comprised of inboard mounting brackets 148 disposed onopposite sides of the front frame module in locations suitable toreceive the lower suspension arms as shown in FIGS. 3A-3B. As will beappreciated, the front frame module 144 is comprised of a rigid metal,such as any of various suitable metal alloys, having a gauge thicknesssuitable for supporting the off-road vehicle 100 and withstanding theforces due to the lower suspension aims 132 due to travel over terrain.

The front frame module 144 is comprised of a front mount 152 and a rearmount 156 disposed at opposite ends and configured to enable fasteningthe front frame module to the chassis 116. In the illustratedembodiment, the front mount 152 is comprised of a bracket configured tobe coupled, such as by way of nuts and bolts, with a similar bracketdisposed at a front-most portion of the chassis 116. The rear mount 156is configured to be coupled with a tube-shaped member comprising thechassis 116. In some embodiments, a bracket suitable for receiving therear mount 156 may be fastened or welded onto the tube-shaped member ofthe chassis 116. It should be understood, however, that the front andrear mounts 152, 156 are not to be limited to the specificconfigurations shown and discussed herein, but rather the front and rearmounts 152, 156 may be comprised of any structure suitable for fixedlycoupling the front frame module 144 with the chassis 116.

As best shown in FIG. 3C, the front frame module 144 may be configuredto support various components of the off-road vehicle 100. For example,in the illustrated embodiment, a steering gear 160 and a frontdifferential 164 may be fastened onto the front frame module 144. Asshown in FIGS. 4A-4C, the front frame module 144 includes a steeringmount 168 configured to receive the steering gear 160, and comprises aplurality of brackets 172 suitable for receiving fasteners to mount thefront differential 164 onto the front frame module. It is contemplatedthat suitably sized nuts and bolts may be utilized to fasten thesteering gear 160 onto the steering mount 168. Similarly, suitably sizedbolts may be used to fasten the front differential 164 onto theplurality of brackets 172. Further, in some embodiments, the brackets172 may be configured to receive any of various cushioning mounts, suchas rubber mounts, that may be coupled between the front differential 164and the front frame module 144.

In some embodiments, the front frame module 144 may include variousports, or openings, disposed on the front frame module to provide accessto the various components fastened onto to the front frame module. Inthe embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4C, the front frame module 144includes service ports 176. As will be appreciated, the service portsgenerally facilitate servicing or repairing of the various componentswithout requiring removal from the front frame module 144. Those skilledin the art will recognize that the service ports 176 facilitateaccessing an oil drain plug of the front differential 164 for thepurpose of draining and refilling the front differential gear oil. Itshould be understood, however, that the front frame module 144 is notlimited to the service ports 176 illustrated herein, and thus otheropenings and service ports may be incorporated into the front framemodule 144, as deemed necessary, without limitation. For example, any ofvarious service ports 176 may be disposed on the front frame module 144so as to allow fluids, such as trapped water due to travel in wetconditions, to drain from an interior of the front frame module, therebyinhibiting potential corrosion of the front frame module 144.

As shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, the front frame module 144 may be comprised ofone or more panels that are configured to protect the various componentscoupled with the front frame module. For example, the illustratedembodiment of the front frame module 144 is comprised of debris shields180 that serve to protect the steering gear 160 and the frontdifferential 164 from damage due to flying road debris, such as rocks,that may occur during travel over rough terrain.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a rear frame module184 that may be fixedly coupled with the chassis 116. The rear framemodule 184 generally is comprised of a tube-frame structure that isconfigured couple with the chassis 116 and to support various enginecomponents, as well as a transaxle and rear differential (not shown).The rear frame module 184 may be comprised of any suitably rigid metal,or non-ferrous materials, such as any of various metal alloys, having agauge thickness suitable for supporting the off-road vehicle 100 andwithstanding forces typically encountered during travel over roughterrain.

As best shown in FIG. 5A, a lower portion of the rear frame module 184is comprised of parallelly disposed bottom frame members 188 that extendrearward with respect to the chassis 116, each toward a bent portion192. A bottom mount 186 is configured to couple the bottom frame members188 with the chassis 116. The bottom mount 186 may be comprised ofbrackets that are configured to receive suitably sized nuts and boltsthat fasten the bottom frame members 188 to the chassis 116. In someembodiments, a cross-member may be disposed between the bottom framemembers 188 and received between the brackets so as to fixedly join thebottom frame members 188 with the chassis 116. It is contemplated thatthe bottom mount 186 may be comprised of any suitable means for fixatingthe rear frame module 184 to the chassis 116, without limitation.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5A, the bottom frame members 188are centrally disposed adjacent to a midline of the chassis 116 andconfigured to provide clearance for vertical motion of driver side andpassenger side rear trailing arms (not shown) disposed adjacently toeach of the bottom frame members 188. The bent portions 192 join each ofthe bottom frame members 188 with an angled frame member 196 thatextends upwards along a lower rear portion of the off-road vehicle 100.A bent portion 200 joins each of the angle frame members 196 with avertical frame member 204 that extends acutely toward a top frame member208. Several cross-members 202 are disposed between the parallel bottomframe members 188, angled frame members 196, and vertical frame members204. As will be appreciated, the cross-members 202 serve to fixate theparallel frame members, 188, 196, 200, and thereby impart structuralintegrity to the rear frame module 184.

As best shown in FIGS. 6A-6B, the top frame member 208 comprises arear-most portion of the rear frame module 184 that may be coupled withupper side portions 212 of the chassis 116. The illustrated embodimentof the top frame member 208 is comprised of a series of straight tubeportions and bent tube portions that are suitably assembled such thatthe top frame member 208 may be joined with the upper side portions 212by way of a top mount 216 disposed at each end of the top frame member.The straight tube portions and the bent tube portions may be separatetube portions that are assembly to form the top frame member 208, or thestraight tube portions and the bent tube portions may comprise a singletube portion that is advantageously manipulated to form the top framemember 208. Further, it is contemplated that the top mounts 216 may becomprised of any suitable means for fixating the top frame member 208and the upper side portions 212. In some embodiments, for example, thetop mounts 216 may be comprised of suitably sized couplers that areinserted between the top frame member 208 and the upper side portions212 and then welded to fixate the rear frame module 184 and the chassis116. Other means for fixating the top frame member 208 and the upperside portions 212 will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

It is contemplated that a wide variety of brackets and other supportivemembers may be coupled with the rear frame module 184 and the chassis116 so as to support various components of the off-road vehicle 100,such as engine components, as well as a transaxle and rear differential(not shown). For example, in the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 5A-6B,a frame component mount 220 may be fastened to the chassis 116 so as tobe advantageously located within the rear frame module 184 to supportthe abovementioned components. As best shown in FIG. 6B, the framecomponent mount 220 may be fastened to the chassis 116 by way ofbrackets 224 configured to receive suitably sized bolts and nuts. It iscontemplated that the brackets 224 may be welded onto the chassis 116,such that one or more holes in the brackets 224 may be aligned withmounting holes in the frame component mount 220.

Moreover, it is further contemplated that any of various brackets,holes, or openings may be coupled with, or disposed on, the framecomponent mount 220 for the purpose of fixedly receiving variouscomponents of the off-road vehicle, as described herein. For example, asbest shown in FIG. 6A, two component mounting brackets 228 are coupledwith the frame component mount 220. The component mounting brackets 228may be welded, or otherwise fastened onto the frame component mount 220,without limitation, in a parallel orientation to facilitate supporting arelatively heavy component of the vehicle 100. Further, as shown in FIG.5A, holes 232 are disposed in various locations of the frame componentmount 220. It is contemplated that the holes 232 may be strategicallylocated so as to receive various components that are intended to befastened onto the frame component mount 220.

It should be understood that neither the rear frame module 184 nor thefront frame module 144 are to be limited to the specific shapes andstructures shown in the illustrations and disclosed herein. Inparticular, the various brackets, holes, openings, and couplersdisclosed herein are intended to be exemplary in nature, and thus any ofthe disclosed brackets, holes, openings, and couplers may be modified,varied, or exchanged for an equivalent, without limitation and withoutdeviating beyond the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Moreover, it should be understood that the modular chassis disclosedherein is not limited solely to the chassis 116, the front frame module144, and the rear frame module 184, but rather it is contemplated thatthe chassis 116 may be further comprised of one or more modules, asdesired. For example, in some embodiments, the chassis 116 may becomprised of the abovementioned roll-over protection system 104implemented as a single component, or an assembly of components, thatmay be fastened onto the chassis 116, and removed therefrom as needed.It is further contemplated that the one or more modules comprising thechassis 116 may include any of various brackets, mounts, holes,openings, couplers, and the like, that may be deemed necessary toassemble the modules comprising the chassis 116 and to couple vehiclecomponents with the chassis, without limitation.

While the invention has been described in terms of particular variationsand illustrative figures, those of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that the invention is not limited to the variations or figuresdescribed. In addition, where methods and steps described above indicatecertain events occurring in certain order, those of ordinary skill inthe art will recognize that the ordering of certain steps may bemodified and that such modifications are in accordance with thevariations of the invention. Additionally, certain of the steps may beperformed concurrently in a parallel process when possible, as well asperformed sequentially as described above. To the extent there arevariations of the invention, which are within the spirit of thedisclosure or equivalent to the inventions found in the claims, it isthe intent that this patent will cover those variations as well.Therefore, the present disclosure is to be understood as not limited bythe specific embodiments described herein, but only by scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A modular chassis for an off-road vehicle,comprising: a chassis configured to support components of the off-roadvehicle; a front frame module configured to be coupled with a front ofthe chassis; and a rear frame module configured to be coupled with arear of the chassis.
 2. The chassis of claim 1, wherein the front framemodule is configured to support a first lower suspension atm on apassenger side and a second lower suspension arm on a driver side of theoff-road vehicle by way of inboard mounting joints of a bushing varietythat allow the first lower suspension atm and the second lowersuspension arm to pivot vertically with respect to the front framemodule.
 3. The chassis of claim 2, wherein the front frame module is anelongate member comprised of inboard mounting brackets disposed onopposite sides in locations suitable to receive the first lowersuspension arm and the second lower suspension arm.
 4. The chassis ofclaim 1, wherein the front frame module is comprised of a front mountand a rear mount disposed at opposite ends and configured to enablefastening the front frame module to the chassis.
 5. The chassis of claim4, wherein the front mount is comprised of a bracket configured to becoupled with a similar bracket disposed at a front-most portion of thechassis.
 6. The chassis of claim 4, wherein the rear mount is configuredto be coupled with a tube-shaped member comprising the chassis, abracket suitable for receiving the rear mount being fastened or weldedonto the tube-shaped member of the chassis.
 7. The chassis of claim 1,wherein the front frame module is configured to support variouscomponents of the off-road vehicle, the various components beingcomprised of at least a steering gear and a front differential.
 8. Thechassis of claim 1, wherein one or more service ports are disposed onthe front frame module to facilitate servicing or repairing of thevarious components without requiring removal from the front framemodule, at least one of the one or more service ports providing accessto an oil drain plug of a front differential.
 9. The chassis of claim 8,wherein at least one of the one or more service ports are disposed onthe front frame module to allow fluids to drain from an interior of thefront frame module.
 10. The chassis of claim 1, wherein the front framemodule is comprised of one or more panels configured to protect variouscomponents coupled with the front frame module, the one or more panelsbeing comprised of at least one debris shield to protect a steering gearand a front differential from damage due to flying road debris.
 11. Thechassis of claim 1, wherein the rear frame module is comprised of atube-frame structure and configured to support various components of theoff-road vehicle.
 12. The chassis of claim 1, wherein a frame componentmount may be fastened to the chassis and located within the rear framemodule so as to support various components of the off-road vehicle. 13.The chassis of claim 12, wherein one or more holes are disposed invarious locations of the frame component mount so as to receive thevarious components that are intended to be supported by the framecomponent mount.
 14. The chassis of claim 1, wherein a lower portion ofthe rear frame module is comprised of parallelly disposed bottom framemembers that extend rearward with respect to the chassis, each toward abent portion that joins each of the bottom frame members with an angledframe member that extends upwards along a lower rear portion of theoff-road vehicle to a bent portion that joins each of the angle framemembers with a vertical frame member that extends acutely toward a topframe member.
 15. The chassis of claim 14, wherein a bottom mountcomprises the fear frame module and is configured to couple the bottomframe members with the chassis.
 16. The chassis of claim 15, wherein thebottom mount is comprised of brackets that are configured to receivesuitably sized nuts and bolts that fasten the bottom frame members tothe chassis, a cross-member being disposed between the bottom framemembers and receivable between the brackets so as to fixedly join thebottom frame members with the chassis.
 17. The chassis of claim 14,wherein the bottom frame members are centrally disposed adjacent to amidline of the chassis and configured to provide clearance for verticalmotion of a rear trailing arm disposed adjacently to each of the bottomframe members.
 18. The chassis of claim 14, wherein severalcross-members are disposed between the bottom frame members, the angledframe members, and the vertical frame members and configured to impartstructural integrity to the rear frame module.
 19. The chassis of claim14, wherein the top frame member comprises a rear-most portion of therear frame module and is configured to be coupled with upper sideportions of the chassis by way of a top mount disposed at each end ofthe top frame member, the top mount being comprised of a suitable meansfor fixating the top frame member and the upper side portions.